Description
Comforting bread pudding with vanilla sauce brings warm memories of Southern hospitality. Rich custardy layers meld with sweet spices, promising a delightful dessert experience you won’t soon forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Pudding:
Main Ingredients:
- 6 cups bread, cubed (French or brioche)
- 3 cups whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Spices and Flavorings:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
Vanilla Sauce:
Main Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons/60 milliliters) unsalted butter
Flavoring:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and generously coating an 88-inch baking dish with grease to prevent sticking.
- Distribute bread cubes evenly across the prepared dish, creating an initial layer. Scatter raisins uniformly over the bread surface if using.
- Create a rich custard base by thoroughly whisking milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl until completely smooth and well-integrated.
- Carefully pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring complete and thorough saturation of every bread piece. Press gently if needed to help absorption.
- Elegantly drizzle melted butter across the top of the mixture, allowing the pudding to rest for 10-15 minutes to fully absorb the liquid ingredients.
- Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, monitoring until the pudding develops a golden-brown exterior and maintains a firm, set consistency.
- Simultaneously prepare the vanilla sauce by combining sugar, heavy cream, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until butter completely melts and sugar dissolves.
- Remove sauce from heat and incorporate vanilla extract, creating a smooth, aromatic finishing element.
- Serve the bread pudding while still warm, generously drizzling the prepared vanilla sauce over the top for a decadent dessert experience.
Notes
- Select day-old bread for better texture and absorption of custard mixture.
- Avoid using fresh bread as it can become too soggy and lose structural integrity.
- Experiment with different bread types like brioche or challah for richer flavor profiles.
- Soak bread cubes thoroughly to ensure even distribution of creamy custard throughout the dessert.
- Add extra warmth with a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom for subtle spice complexity.
- Replace whole milk with almond or coconut milk for dairy-free alternative.
- Prevent burning by covering with aluminum foil if top browns too quickly during baking.
- Enhance sauce by adding a splash of bourbon or rum for depth of flavor.
- Store leftovers in refrigerator and gently reheat in microwave or oven for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg